NSW 'mega-fire' is on Sydney's doorstep, here's what firefighters are doing about it
5 years, 1 month ago

NSW 'mega-fire' is on Sydney's doorstep, here's what firefighters are doing about it

ABC  

"Worst ever" and "unprecedented" have become the new norm this bushfire season, but when a blaze grows to the size of Sydney a new standard of overwhelming is set and firefighting becomes a logistical headache. Uncharted territory This 250,000 hectare blaze has presented new challenges for the RFS and different approaches must be taken, according to public liaison officer Stuart O'Keefe. "It's no different if it's one hectare or 260,000 hectares when it comes to strategies," Mr O'Keefe said. But this means heavy machinery has to be sourced from the local communities, which takes up precious time as nothing is "just around the corner" in this rugged, remote area.

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History of this topic

Two dead, dozens homes destroyed as bushfires rage across eastern Australia
1 year, 2 months ago

Two dead, dozens homes destroyed as bushfires rage across eastern Australia

India Today  

Two people were killed and dozens of homes were destroyed in bushfires raging across Australia's northern Queensland state, as firefighters travelled from across the country and from New Zealand to try and contain the out-of-control blazes. Residents have been told to evacuate from two massive bushfires in the southeast portion of Queensland, even as dozens of fires continue to burn …

Sydney bushfires: More than 100 blazes across New South Wales as temperatures soar to 33C
1 year, 3 months ago

Sydney bushfires: More than 100 blazes across New South Wales as temperatures soar to 33C

Daily Mail  

Dry heat and strengthening winds have placed Sydney and holidaymakers on high alert for bushfires as more than 100 blazes burn statewide. Greater Sydney and Greater Hunter are among five areas facing extreme danger from blazes on Tuesday and among eight areas subject to total fire bans. A fire burns near Bawley Point on the New South Wales south coast …

NSW fire crews work through weekend to contain more than 70 blazes across the state
1 year, 4 months ago

NSW fire crews work through weekend to contain more than 70 blazes across the state

ABC  

Warm and windy conditions in New South Wales have fanned dozens of blazes across the state, with hundreds of firefighters mobilised to contain them throughout the weekend. Key points: More than 70 fires are burning across NSW, following strong winds on Friday Two fires reached Watch and Act alert level in the Clarence Valley The RFS warns fire danger season …

Firefighters said nothing could stop the 'mega-blaze' — here's why it never flattened Sydney
4 years, 5 months ago

Firefighters said nothing could stop the 'mega-blaze' — here's why it never flattened Sydney

ABC  

As the first Black Summer inquiry prepares to report, we reveal the inside story of Australia's biggest bushfire. "We need to keep in mind that at that point in time there was significant fire activity across the state," NPWS Blue Mountains director David Crust said. It was almost just another statistic, one of more than 11,000 fire "incidents" across the …

The size of Australia's bushfire crisis captured in five big numbers
4 years, 10 months ago

The size of Australia's bushfire crisis captured in five big numbers

ABC  

Many Australians just lost their summer, thanks to the recent bushfire crisis. To put that in some perspective, in New South Wales alone more than 5.4 million hectares have been burned, said Ben Shepherd from the NSW Rural Fire Service. "An average fire season here in New South Wales is typically at around 300,000 hectares," Inspector Shepherd said. "The first …

Sydney airport fire: Large blaze breaks out near Qantas terminal
4 years, 11 months ago

Sydney airport fire: Large blaze breaks out near Qantas terminal

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The fire department later said: “FRNSW firefighters are using aerial appliances to battle the blaze in a large industrial building …

Fire crews take chance to backburn after mega-blaze forms on NSW-Victorian border
4 years, 11 months ago

Fire crews take chance to backburn after mega-blaze forms on NSW-Victorian border

ABC  

Firefighters across Victoria and New South Wales are battling to contain huge blazes burning across the country's south-east, as a wind change that initially fanned erratic fires brings a brief reprieve. Key points: In NSW erratic fire conditions have been predicted well into the night Rain in Victoria has been enough to extinguish so-called "campaign fires" but authorities warn forecast …

Watch | Massive bushfires across Australia
5 years ago

Watch | Massive bushfires across Australia

The Hindu  

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called up about 3,000 reservists as the threat of wildfires escalated Saturday in at least three states. The fire broke containment lines Friday and was described as “virtually unstoppable” as it destroyed buildings and burned through more than 14,000 hectares of Flinders Chase National Park. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fizsimmons said the 264,000-hectare …

‘Not safe to move': Fire threats intensify in Australia
5 years ago

‘Not safe to move': Fire threats intensify in Australia

Associated Press  

SYDNEY — A father and son who were battling flames for two days are the latest victims of the worst wildfire season in Australian history, and the path of destruction widened in at least three states Saturday due to strong winds and high temperatures. We are still yet to hit the worst of it.” Morrison said the governor general had …

Deadly fires are threatening Australia’s entire way of life
5 years ago

Deadly fires are threatening Australia’s entire way of life

CNN  

CNN — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison may have thought a visit to a fire-ravaged town would help boost his image after a series of stumbles in handling the country’s bushfire crisis. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" helicopter refuels onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist, on Sunday, January 5, in this image …

NSW and Victoria bushfire conditions worsen with fears blazes could be unstoppable
5 years ago

NSW and Victoria bushfire conditions worsen with fears blazes could be unstoppable

ABC  

Bushfire activity across south-eastern Australia has picked up as the region is swept by hot, gusty winds that authorities fear could render blazes unstoppable. Key points: Temperatures have reached into the mid-40s in parts of NSW and Victoria as strong winds fan bushfire activity Authorities fear existing bushfires will spread and join and dry lightning could start new ones The …

U.S. sends more than 100 firefighters to help Australia battle flames
5 years ago

U.S. sends more than 100 firefighters to help Australia battle flames

LA Times  

A firefighter sprays fire retardant in Jerrawangala, in the Australian state of New South Wales, on Wednesday. For the first time since 2010, the federal government is sending U.S. firefighters — including some from California — to help combat Australia’s wildfires, which have burned about 12.35 million acres of land and killed at least 17 people. According to the National …

Australia bushfires: New Year’s Eve fireworks in Canberra cancelled; conditions expected to worsen in New South Wales on 31 Dec
5 years ago

Australia bushfires: New Year’s Eve fireworks in Canberra cancelled; conditions expected to worsen in New South Wales on 31 Dec

Firstpost  

New Year’s Eve fireworks in Australia’s capital city have been canceled as the wildfire danger worsens in oppressive summer heat, and pressure was building Monday for Sydney’s iconic celebrations to be similarly scrapped Perth: New Year’s Eve fireworks in Australia’s capital city have been canceled as the wildfire danger worsens in oppressive summer heat, and pressure was building Monday for …

NSW state of emergency declared as bushfires and extreme heat take hold after hottest day
5 years ago

NSW state of emergency declared as bushfires and extreme heat take hold after hottest day

ABC  

Alright, let's do a stocktake of the situation. There are currently three emergency-level fires burning in NSW at Gospers Mountain, Green Wattle Creek and Kerry Ridge. At least 20 buildings have been destroyed in the south-west, but estimates are early and likely very conservative — the RFS says it could take some time before it's able to conduct a damage …

NSW bushfire burning at Kerry Ridge downgraded to watch and act, 'mega-fire' downgraded to advice
5 years ago

NSW bushfire burning at Kerry Ridge downgraded to watch and act, 'mega-fire' downgraded to advice

ABC  

The Gospers Mountain "mega-fire" burning north-west of Sydney, as well as a bushfire in the Hunter region have both been downgraded. Fire crews lost control of a backburn on the "mega-fire" yesterday afternoon and 20 structures around Mount Irvine, Mount Wilson and Mount Tomah were destroyed as a result. RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the crews in the area were …

Homes believed lost in NSW 'mega blaze' as firefighters tackle 70-metre flames in windy conditions
5 years ago

Homes believed lost in NSW 'mega blaze' as firefighters tackle 70-metre flames in windy conditions

ABC  

A "mega blaze" is believed to have destroyed several homes in the Hawkesbury area north-west of Sydney, where authorities issued an emergency warning. NSW Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said there were reports properties were "impacted" after the fire grew "considerably" at its southern end over the afternoon. "Firefighters are trying to protect as many properties as they …

NSW fire crews backburn near Sydney 'mega fire' lines ahead of hot weather forecast
5 years, 1 month ago

NSW fire crews backburn near Sydney 'mega fire' lines ahead of hot weather forecast

ABC  

Firefighters are taking advantage of a rare opportunity to conduct "critical backburning" ahead of dangerous fire conditions predicted for early this week. Key points: There were over 100 bush and grass fires burning across the state on Saturday night The Bureau of Meteorology said cool easterly winds would raise humidity on Sunday Ash was seen washing up on Sydney's eastern …

NSW bushfires surround Sydney but conditions ease for now
5 years, 1 month ago

NSW bushfires surround Sydney but conditions ease for now

ABC  

Conditions have eased since the New South Wales bushfire crisis arrived in Sydney on Friday, but authorities warn that residents are "not out of the woods yet". Key points: Firefighters were using easing conditions to conduct "critical backburning" A helicopter aiding firefighters had crashed north-east of Newcastle earlier today A total fire ban has been declared in several areas, including …

NSW Rural Fire Service says bushfires have combined to create 60km 'mega fire' north of Sydney
5 years, 1 month ago

NSW Rural Fire Service says bushfires have combined to create 60km 'mega fire' north of Sydney

ABC  

A 60-kilometre fire front is ravaging areas north of Sydney, as more than 100 blazes take hold amid deteriorating weather conditions. NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said there were "probably more than eight fires" in the area north of Sydney that had combined. The updated totals came as the blazes burning north-west of Sydney joined to create …

NSW bushfires: Terrifying moment wall of flames engulfs trees caught on camera
5 years, 1 month ago

NSW bushfires: Terrifying moment wall of flames engulfs trees caught on camera

ABC  

The terrifying moment firefighters sprinted away from a wall of flames has been captured on camera, as NSW continues to be ravaged by several out-of-control blazes. The NSW Rural Fire Service issued an emergency warning for the blaze, which was threatening properties on the doorstep of Australia's biggest city. Key points: NSW's bushfire crisis intensified on Thursday, with several emergency …

NSW bushfires destroy nearly 500 homes as crews scramble to build containment lines
5 years, 1 month ago

NSW bushfires destroy nearly 500 homes as crews scramble to build containment lines

ABC  

Nearly 500 homes have been lost in New South Wales in this bushfire season to date, the Rural Fire Service has confirmed. Key points: The NSW Rural Fire Service says 476 homes have been destroyed since the start of the bushfire season Fire crews are working to build containment lines ahead of deteriorating weather conditions on Tuesday Two fires remain …

Bushfire horror: Conditions set to worse in Sydney next week
5 years, 1 month ago

Bushfire horror: Conditions set to worse in Sydney next week

Daily Mail  

Dozens of fires are still raging on the east coast of Australia after an 'extraordinary' day saw infernos in suburban Sydney - as officials warn the worst is yet to come. The largest inferno, the Liberation Trail bushfire west of Coffs Harbour, covers more 150,000 hectares Wall of flame: A satellite image of the eastern seaboard showed the active fire …

Australian bushfires: Firefighters rush to prepare for 'bad, if not worse' conditions in coming days after blaze kills three, razes more than 150 houses
5 years, 1 month ago

Australian bushfires: Firefighters rush to prepare for 'bad, if not worse' conditions in coming days after blaze kills three, razes more than 150 houses

Firstpost  

Firefighters in eastern Australia on Sunday rushed to prepare for ‘bad, if not worse’ conditions expected in the coming days after ferocious bushfires devastated communities Taree: Firefighters in eastern Australia on Sunday rushed to prepare for “bad, if not worse” conditions expected in the coming days after ferocious bushfires devastated communities. Wider swathes of the states — including outer Sydney …

Australia fires: More than 60 blazes are burning in the state of New South Wales in Australia
5 years, 1 month ago

Australia fires: More than 60 blazes are burning in the state of New South Wales in Australia

CNN  

CNN — Fire officials are warning of “catastrophic fire danger” as firefighters battle dozens of blazes raging across the Australian state of New South Wales. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" helicopter refuels onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist, on Sunday, January 5, in this image provided by the Australian Department of Defence. …

NSW fires destroy homes, leave people trapped as RFS fights 15 emergency blazes
5 years, 2 months ago

NSW fires destroy homes, leave people trapped as RFS fights 15 emergency blazes

ABC  

The NSW Rural Fire Service says two houses have been destroyed and people are trapped in their homes, as an unprecedented bushfire emergency grips the state. The RFS said firefighters were in "uncharted territory" and at the peak of the crisis, a record 17 blazes burned simultaneously at emergency level. RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said parts of the M1 motorway …

Bushfires continue to burn across east Australia
5 years, 3 months ago

Bushfires continue to burn across east Australia

Al Jazeera  

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology warns the fire danger remains high throughout Queensland. Meanwhile, fire conditions eased over the weekend in northern New South Wales, as the winds dropped, prompting the Rural Fire Service to downgrade its warning to an advice level. Before the warm-up that is expected this week, rain will move across much of New South Wales on …

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